Baltimore Orioles

There was some concern over over Derek Jeter’s right hand yesterday after he came up visibly sore on a diving play in the fourth inning.

It didn’t appear to be a big deal at the time, and manager Joe Girardi said he didn’t even notice Jeter’s discomfort.

But when it comes to The Captain, injuries are almost literally the only thing that can hold him back.

After two years of uncertainty, the Big Kid is gone.

It's certainly difficult to fault the Eagles for doing so, but from where I'm sitting, releasing Shawn Andrews doesn't seem to make much sense.

He has missed the past two seasons with back injuries, both of which required surgery, but by all accounts he's finally healing up the way he should be and has a legitimate shot at coming back full-strength in 2010.

On a freshly cut field in Sarasota, the sun is shining while four or five Orioles take batting practice. Adam Jones punishes room-service fastballs as Matt Wieters and Nick Markakis share a laugh. A new day shimmers as baseball is in the air. Little does this team know, they are the future.

After 12 straight losing seasons, optimism is high in Baltimore that 2010 could be the season the Orioles move back over the .500 mark.

However, considering that they won only 64 games a year ago, even with a plethora of young talent, there is much to be done if the O’s are really going to move to the plus side of the ledger.

This is part two of a three part series about the 2010 Orioles. In part one we looked at keys to the season.

You have to give credit to Andy MacPhail.

This past season, the Orioles desperately needed more production from the third base position.

Acquired in the deal that sent George Sherrill to Los Angeles, Josh Bell appeared on the precipice of a Major League job heading into 2010 before the Orioles signed both Garrett Atkins and Miguel Tejada.  Now, just an injury away of getting an opportunity, Bell should certainly still be on the radars of fantasy baseball owners.

2009 Statistics (Split between Two Double-A Teams)

Today Detroit defeated Houston 17 to 7. No, folks, it’s not preseason football that I am referring to. That was, in fact, todays spring training final score. Besides, we all know that the Lions' defense can’t hold an opposing team to just seven points.

Prior to that pitcher's duel (note sarcasm), I had a chance to watch last season's draft picks Jacob Turner and Andy Oliver in a scrimmage game on a practice field.

Brandon Erbe has come a long way.

Five years ago the scrawny 17-year old was struggling to keep his head above water (not to mention his ERA under 4.00) over three different levels.

Five years later, Erbe found himself spending the last two weeks of February in Major League camp, a spring training invitee.

And it's no fluke. Erbe has gotten very smart, very quick.

I have been looking forward to writing this piece for a long time.  I wanted to do it weeks ago when teams reported to camp, but I decided to be patient.  However, we are less than a month away from opening day, and with games in spring training leagues starting this week, it is time to talk baseball.

The Baltimore Orioles are looking to make a run in the AL East or at least trying to improve on their past seasons. Last year the Orioles finished dead last in the AL East with a 64-98 record, worse than their 2008 season. Already this season they started off losers by not signing Matt Holliday and letting go long-time third baseman Melvin Mora.